The history of the forgotten cinemas of west Wales has been rediscovered thanks to a new book by writer and former cinema projectionist Allan Phillips.

Most of the cinema and picture houses of west Wales – from Barmouth in Gwynedd to Llanelli in Carmarthenshire – have long since disappeared, been demolished or converted to other uses. The Cinemas of West Wales records where they were, gives descriptions of their interiors and programmes, and includes over 100 photographs of what they looked like then, and now.

In Wales, most cinemas were built around 1910 and 1911, although a number of buildings had been converted into cinemas before that.

The Odeon Classic Cinema in Llanelli, pictured in 1947

This is Carmarthen's Capitol, described as the town's premier cinema

“In days gone by a weekly visit to the ‘flicks’ was as common as watching the television is today. It was an adventure and one of the few modes of entertainment available,” said the book’s author, who worked as a cinema projectionist with the Kinema Corporation and later with the Ministry of Defence. “It was a chance to step back in time or to the future, a chance to forget daily toils and, for an hour or two, be transported to a make-believe world.”

Villages or towns that had or have cinemas and are featured in the book include Carmarthen, Cross Hands, Kidwelly, Llandeilo, Llandovery, Llanelli, Pembrey and Burry Port and Pontarddulais in West Glamorgan.

The Celtic Cinema at Aberystwyth (picture via Ceredigion Archives)

The Commodore Cinema in Aberystwyth was built on the site of the Celtic. The year was 1977 (picture via Ceredigion Archives) - and just look at that car.

Wales had its own film pioneers, such as John Codman, son of the Llandudno pier Punch and Judy man, who travelled throughout north Wales with his magic lantern living picture show. Then there was Arthur Cheetham who filmed day-to-day scenes throughout the country for the purpose of showing them at venues across most of Wales. He eventually settled in Rhyl and in 1906 established the Silvograph Animated Pictures - the first permanent cinema in Wales.

But, by the 1960s the advent of television and increased running costs caused cinema attendances to decline and several went into financial difficulty.

“Times have changed now,” added Alan. “Some cinemas or theatres were converted into bingo halls or were used for other uses, such as supermarkets, or eventually demolished. Today several cinemas have been taken over by J.D. Wetherspoon pubs, and they have retained the décor to give us a glimpse of their former glory days.”

The Cinemas of West Wales by Alan Phillips (£6.99, Y Lolfa) is available now.

The entrance to Carmarthen's Lyric Cinema

The very beautiful Dragon Theatre in Barmouth

The Pavilion Cinema in Cardigan dates back to 1912 (picture courtesy E R Williams) although this picture is from the 1980s

The Empire Cinema was in Milford Haven (S Thomas)

The cinema in Pembroke was founded by William Haggar and took his name

Pembroke Dock's Garrison Theatre Astra Cinema (via WO Trevor Millls)

The Royal Playhouse Cinema at Tenby

In its heyday, the Empire Cinema at Milford Haven (via Milford Mercury)

The Cross Hands Cinema

Just stunning... the auditorium of Aberystwyth Coliseum (Ceredigion-Archives)